Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/184869
S AG-AFTRA is poised to make history again, this time with its inaugural national convention. With a theme of United for Our Future, the 2013 National Convention, taking place Sept. 26-29 at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, will bring together hundreds of elected leaders, national board members and delegates as part of the union's governance and strategic planning process. ABOUT THE CONVENTION Under Article VII of the SAG-AFTRA Constitution, the union hosts a biennial convention held 45 days after the tally of the votes for president and secretarytreasurer. Convention delegates are elected by • Amendments to the SAG-AFTRA Constitution; • Review of the actions of the national board. The convention is an opportunity for members to become better educated about their union and the industry in which they work. Along with union business, attendees are treated to several special guest speakers, as well as an afternoon of programs and workshops focusing on the core functions and issues of the union. Delegates will also receive a report from the newly elected president, executive vice president and secretary-treasurer, as well as from National Executive Director David White. On the first day of convention, representatives of SAG-AFTRA committees and departments will be the Friday night celebration, a dinner event that includes entertainment and the presentation of the American Scene Awards. An honor that started in AFTRA and continues with SAG-AFTRA, the awards honor the producers who work to depict the diverse American Scene. Past recipients have included The Voice, Parenthood, Modern Family and Switched at Birth. Also taking place at the convention will be the awarding of the George Heller Memorial Gold Card. A tradition carried over from legacy AFTRA, the gold card honors a member or staff member who has made a significant contribution of Labor leaders, industry partners and others will highlight the convention with keynote addresses, including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Elected president in 2009, Trumka has dedicated more than 15 years of service to the AFL-CIO, following his beginnings in the small coal-mining communities of southwest Pennsylvania. His vision as a leader stems from wise words his grandfather, a miner, told him when he was young: "If you want to help workers, you first need to help people." Prior to his presidency, Trumka served unions as legal counsel, president of the United Mine Workers of America and secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO. the membership — national and local — and include national officers and board members, local presidents and delegates. Only elected delegates may attend convention business sessions. Delegates discuss, debate and decide important questions for the future of the union, including: • The nomination and election of the executive vice president and all national vice presidents; • Consideration of resolutions submitted in writing at least 30 days prior to convention; on hand in a separate expo area. On Friday and Saturday, partners of the union will take over the expo, allowing those attending to learn about some of the special benefits and opportunities available to SAG-AFTRA members. Delegates elected to attend the convention have received details on the convention and how to register online. In addition to the online registration, those with smartphones will be able to access a mobile app to keep them up to date on the convention agenda. High points of the convention will include an opening night reception hosted by the Los Angeles Local and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE service through the years to SAG-AFTRA (including the legacy unions) and its members. The recipient is nominated and voted on by members. The new national board will meet twice in conjunction with the national convention. During the convention, check out SAGAFTRAconvention.org for the latest news, photos and videos. SAGAFTRA.org | Summer 2013 | SAG-AFTRA 21